A family visiting Khao Yai National Park in southern Thailand had a close encounter with a hungry elephant that decided to raid the back of their car for food.
The incident occurred on Sunday, December 9, at around 2 pm, leaving onlookers stunned and nervous.
It all began when the elephant, a fully grown male bull, started rummaging through the contents of a black Mitsubishi pickup truck parked in front of the family’s car.
The elephant used its massive trunk to open plastic boxes, tossing them aside as it searched for food.
In the background, someone in the family’s vehicle could be heard saying, “He’s hungry; he wants food. He’s looking in the boxes. I hope he doesn’t get angry and attack the car.”
The elephant’s quest for food didn’t stop with the first car. As the pickup truck pickup cautiously moved away, the elephant turned to the family’s vehicle, reaching for the items stored in their boot.
Mobile phone footage captured when the elephant’s trunk and tusks loomed near the back window.
Wanlop Seeput, the 35-year-old driver of the family’s car, explained how tense the situation became. He said, “I thought the elephant would attack the cars. It was scary. I could barely move. I just wanted to drive away. I was saying ‘go, go.’” His wife kept him calm, reminding him to stay still to avoid provoking the elephant.
Fortunately, the family managed to drive away without further incident. The elephant soon moved on to another vehicle, presumably still hunting for food.
Seeput reflected on the experience, acknowledging that the elephant seemed hungry and following its instincts. Despite the fear, the family remained unharmed, and no significant damage was reported.